The J.M. Smucker Company Announces Boys & Girls Clubs of America as Official Charity for Smucker's Stars On Ice

Boys & Girls Club of America
Wednesday, 25 September 2002

Boys & Girls Clubs of America has been named as the official charity for Smucker's Stars on Ice, America's premier figure skating production.

The announcement was made during Boys & Girls Clubs of America's (B&GCA) annual Congressional Breakfast, by Tim Smucker, Chairman and Co-CEO of The J.M. Smucker Company and Tara Lipinski, Olympic gold medallist and World Champion figure skater. Tara is a headliner for Smucker's Stars on Ice and a national spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

In addition, The J.M. Smucker Company announced its sponsorship of national literacy programs for B&GCA, donating a portion of every Smucker's Stars on Ice ticket sold.

"We are grateful to The Smucker Company and their decision to support our national literacy initiative," said Roxanne Spillett, president, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "This exciting new partnership will enable us to offer a meaningful literacy program that is essential to our overall emphasis on educational enhancement for the millions of children we serve in our Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide."

"The Smucker Company is a strong advocate of education and literacy initiatives, and has been a long-term supporter of local Boys & Girls Clubs," said Tim Smucker. "We are pleased to elevate our support to a national level, and are thrilled that this partnership enables us to impact the youth of America in such a positive way through quality, family entertainment."

Smucker's Stars on Ice will begin its 2002-03 season in Lake Placid, N.Y., on November 30, 2002 and will conclude its 61-city tour in Portland, Maine, on April 12, 2003.

Now in its 17th consecutive year as America's most prestigious, state-of-the art figure skating production, Stars on Ice (www.starsonice.com) once again delivers an electrifying blend of star power, diverse artistry and superb performances that have become its hallmark since 1986. From the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, the all new 2002/2003 U.S. touring season of Smucker's Stars on Ice features 2002 Olympic Champion and four-time World Champion Alexei Yagudin, 2002 Olympic Pair Champions Jamie Salé & David Pelletier and Elena Berezhnaya & Anton Sikharulidze, three-time U.S. National Champions and 2002 Olympic Pair skaters Kyoko Ina and John Zimmerman, as well as six-time U.S. National Champion, World Champion and three-time Olympian Todd Eldredge.

Add to this already superstar cast such legendary Olympic Champions as Tara Lipinski and Katarina Witt, four- time World Champion Kurt Browning, three-time U.S. National Champions Jenni Meno & Todd Sand, and eight-time British National Champion Steven Cousins, it's proof positive that Smucker's Stars on Ice is the ultimate choice in family entertainment.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of 3,000 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving more than 3.3 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," Clubs provide guidance-oriented programs on a daily basis for children 6 - 18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key programs emphasize character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation. National headquarters is located in Atlanta.

The J.M. Smucker Company (www.smuckers.com) was founded in 1897 when the Company's namesake and founder sold his first product -- apple butter -- from the back of a horse-drawn wagon. Today, over a century later, the Company is the market leader in fruit spreads, ice cream toppings, health and natural foods beverages, and natural peanut butter in North America. In June of this year, the Company further enhanced its leadership position with the addition of Jif peanut butter and Crisco shortening and oils to the Smucker family of brands. For over 100 years, The J.M. Smucker Company has been headquartered in Orrville, Ohio, and has been family run for four generations. The J.M. Smucker Company has over 2,700 employees worldwide and distributes products in more than 45 countries.

For more information, or to contact Boys & Girls Club of America, see their website at: www.bgca.org